Mining community’s Hooked on Miracles raises $400,000 for BC Children’s Hospital

by Keith Powell — July 25, 2014

— Photo courtesy Mining for Miracles

The Hooked on Miracles Charity Fishing Tournament, which raises funds for the BC mining community's longstanding fundraising campaign, Mining for Miracles, raised more than $400,000 for BC Children's Hospital from June 19 to 23.

This signature Mining for Miracles event, which took place in Tofino, gives mining companies and suppliers an opportunity to come together to raise funds for the BC mining industry's charity of choice, BC Children's Hospital. Since its inception in 2011, the event has raised over $1.7 million to benefit children across BC and the Yukon.

"Hooked on Miracles participants understand the importance of giving back to their local community," said Al Cloke, Hooked on Miracles co-chair. "This event is one more opportunity for them to support an organization that helps children and their families when they are most vulnerable."

The 2014 event saw the coveted title of Angler of the Year awarded to Dr. Bruce Verchere, scientist and head of the Diabetes Research Program at the Child & Family Research Institute at BC Children's Hospital. Dr. Verchere cinched his win at Hooked on Miracles by catching the largest fish, a 24-pound salmon. "It was great to see Dr. Bruce Verchere claim this title", said Dave Sharples, Hooked on Miracles co-chair. "His catch is only outweighed by the incredible work he does in the field of childhood diabetes research."

Hooked on Miracles contributes significantly to the Mining for Miracles' annual fundraising campaign for BC Children's Hospital. Proceeds from the 2014 event will go toward fulfilling Mining for Miracles' commitment to fund the development of the BC Children's Hospital BioBank.

Biobanking is a new and indispensable research tool that holds the potential to improve treatments and find cures for diseases affecting millions of children around the world. It will be the first institutional pediatric biobank in Canada and will facilitate breakthrough medical discoveries that will improve the lives of children suffering from debilitating and life-limiting diseases.

Visit Hooked On Miracles and Mining for Miracles for more information.